Recurrent type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in a renal allograft: Successful treatment with plasmapheresis

Recurrent disease is increasingly recognized as a cause of renal allograft dysfunction and failure. We describe a patient with type I membranoprolifer ative glomerulonephritis not associated with hepatitis C. The glomerular di sease recurred in the renal allograft within 1 month of transplantation, le ading to acute allograft dysfunction and nephrotic syndrome. Aggressive tre atment with prednisone and plasmapheresis resulted in improvement in kidney function, improvement of the light microscopic picture, and removal of imm une complexes from the glomerular subendothelial space. (C) 2000 by the Nat ional Kidney Foundation, Inc.